Food & Drink

Just in time for the season of emerald green hills, hats, and beer, a local organization has announced the winners of its coveted Green Business certification. An official nod to companies that serve as models of sustainability, this certification is available to offices, restaurants, hotels, and retailers. The Green Business Program of Santa Barbara County, […]

This year, Santa Barbara County’s restaurateurs prove that March needn’t be limited to a single celebration of all things green. In venturing beyond the corned beef and cabbage of St. Patrick’s Day, they promise to deliver a variety of edibles guaranteed to delight Scandinavians, sushi fans, beef-eaters, and foodies of all stripes. Beginning March 14, […]

Santa Maria’s business people stand behind their community in countless ways, putting good intentions into everyday practice. They give of their time, offer their services, and donate items to auctions to raise funds for worthy causes. On March 6, Santa Marians are invited to join them in supporting one such cause at the sixth annual […]

When the cupboards are bare, the stores are closed, and hunger strikes, creative cooks turn to that magic box with the subzero interior. And whether dinner means combining ingredients or simply heating up a pre-packaged entrée, they know that a glass of wine adds a touch of elegance to all manner of frozen food. A […]

Lasting longer than 24 hours and spilling beyond the confines of any Hallmark holiday, the desire to celebrate hearts, flowers, fun, and affection runs deep. For social types and good friends, as well as lovers and newlyweds, the urge to sip wine or share a singular meal can strike at any time. How about dinner […]

Have you ever dreamed of hiking an ancient path near the top of the world? And maybe fueling the journey with trailside feasts and wines to match? No longer a mere flight of fancy, this tantalizing notion is about to become reality for a few adventurous souls headed for Peru’s Inca Trail. In July, Firestone […]

Hearts and flowers dance on the airwaves, and the staffers at Santa Barbara County’s wineries aim to celebrate the season of love in style. They know that when carefully paired, romance and fine wine work powerful alchemy, and they hope to share that magic with anyone who is, was, or wants to be targeted by […]

Young and promising, the new year has already delivered welcome rains and renewed hopes. Equally full of promise, Santa Maria’s Town Center greets 2010 with fresh paint and a sunny atmosphere, as well as a line up of local merchants and restaurants ready to serve the community in style. Nearly two years ago, Greg Kozak […]

In the mid-1980s, pioneering winemaker Tony Austin spelled out the relationship between wine and art in boldface letters at his Los Olivos tasting room. In the Kern Health 2006 issue of Bakersfield Magazine, he reiterated the sentiment when he told wine writer Mike Stepanovich, “Wine is art. It just happens to be consumable art.” Austin […]

[image-3] In 2010, Central Coast foodies can easily turn over a fresh oven mitt and learn some nifty culinary tricks in the process. By putting in just a few hours a week, aspiring chefs and domestic kitchen jockeys alike will not only discover a world of recipes and techniques, but also build a solid foundation […]